A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck southern Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture on Tuesday, damaging buildings and killing several people and injuring dozens in one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries.
The quake was recorded in Kyushu, the southwestern tip of Japan’s four main islands, about 550 miles from the capital Tokyo. The region is still reeling from a series of devastating earthquakes in 2016 that killed hundreds, injured thousands and caused widespread destruction to the economy and infrastructure, including the famous Kumamoto Castle.
CNN is tracking the impact with maps and graphs.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was one of more than 200 “significant” earthquakes that have occurred in Japan since 2000, and its estimated magnitude is among the highest.
Earthquakes like Tuesday’s in Japan are measured on a magnitude scale. This is considered “strong” with a magnitude of 6.8 and could cause damage.
At least six additional earthquakes have been recorded in the area since the major incident, with magnitudes ranging from 4.4 to 5.6, according to the USGS.
